HURRICANE Florence could be set to hit the United States closely followed by Isaac and Helene as three tropical storms build in the Atlantic Ocean. And a fourth is brewing in the Gulf of Mexico.

Isaac and Helene formed in the Atlantic Basin over the weekend and are currently building on their category 1 hurricane status.

It comes as the National Hurricane Centre (NHC) warned Hurricane Florence is “rapidly strengthening and is expected to become a major hurricane very soon”.

The Category 4 storm is heading towards the east coast of the US and experts warn it could cause life-threatening flooding due to heavy prolonged rain.

A state of emergency was declared in North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia after experts warned Hurricane Florence would make landfall later this week maintaining its Category 4 status, causing potentially life-threatening storms and flooding.

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Hurricane Florence is to hit the east coast later this week, with speeds of 75mph recorded so far.

The NHC tweeted: “Florence is expected to become a major hurricane on Monday, and there is an increasing risk of coastal storm surge flooding and freshwater flooding from heavy prolonged rain when the hurricane approaches the US.

“While it is too soon to determine the exact timing, location and magnitude of these impacts, interests at the coast and inland from South Carolina into the mid-Atlantic region should closely monitor the progress of Florence, ensure they have their hurricane plan in place, and follow any advice given by local officials.”

North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper also advised citizens to “gather your supplies now,” in a statement.

Hurricane Florence is set to hit the US later this week (Image: GETTY )

A category 4 hurricane can result in an area being “uninhabitable for weeks or months,” according to NHC.

Isaac and Helene lie in its wake ready to cause further chaos.

Isaac is expected to track toward the Lesser Antilles in the Caribbean this week.

Bathers and boaters have been warned to avoid rough and dangerous seas along the east-facing portions of the islands as early as Wednesday.

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Hurricane Florence will be followed by Hurricane Isaac and Helene (Image: NHC)

AccuWeather Hurricane Expert Dan Kottlowski said: “There is a growing consensus that this system could threaten the Lesser Antilles during the middle or latter part of the week.”

Isaac’s track will also take it to the south areas that came under Irma’s wrath last year.

Meanwhile, Helene has already brought raging tropical storm conditions, including 85mph winds, to the Cape Verde Islands over the weekend.

Located off the west coast of Africa, Helene is expected strengthen today as it moves west-northwest over the eastern Atlantic.

Hurricane Florence has wreaked havoc across the states (Image: NHC )

Experts at the National Hurricane Center are also on alert for a fourth storm, which could turn into Hurricane Joyce.

The NHC reported “disorganised showers and thunderstorms” over the Caribbean Sea and western Cuba.

In its latest update, the NHC said: “The disturbance is forecast to move slowly northwestward across the northwestern Caribbean Sea and the Yucatan Peninsula over the next couple of days with only slow development expected during that time.

“However, upper-level winds are forecast to become more conducive, and a tropical depression could form late this week when the system moves across the western Gulf of Mexico.”

There is currently a 40 percent chance of the weather developing into a hurricane within the next five days, the NHC said.